Fantasy Baseball Offseason Tracker: High Strikes

The new range is at full blast, with the commerce market displaying ample exercise and quite a few noteworthy free brokers having already come off the board. The place are you able to flip for steerage amid this dizzying whirlwind?

Proper right here is the place. Chris Towers and I shall be making the Offseason Tracker our residence base for the following few months, churning out content material because the information warrants. Right here, you will get a breakdown of all of the strikes that matter for Fantasy Baseball with out all of the fluff. (OK, perhaps somewhat fluff.)

Bookmark it. Learn it. Reside by it.

Isaac Collins traded to Royals

For a minute there, Collins was the new factor in Fantasy, slashing .338/.425/.544 over a two-month stretch from June 12 by means of Aug. 11. And whereas he slashed solely .182/.303/.293 thereafter, slipping into extra of a part-time function, he nonetheless ended up reaching base at a .368 clip as a rookie. That is doubtless what attracted the Royals to Collins, and with them, the switch-hitter is extra more likely to play every single day.

My concern, although, is that the midseason scorching stretch inflated his stat line past what’s truly cheap and that the season merely ended earlier than the correction could possibly be totally utilized. He wasn’t a extremely regarded prospect, does not hit the ball with a lot authority, and does not make contact at an unusually excessive charge. He is good at taking walks, as his minor league historical past additionally exhibits, however main league pitchers will put a cease to that if the bat is not impactful sufficient. They’re higher at controlling the place the ball goes and can merely pound the strike zone. Possibly Collins will excel with the Royals and provides them their very own model of Sal Frelick. It is extra attainable with them than with the Brewers. However that is modest upside for a participant with such a questionable profile, making him not value contemplating outdoors of five-outfielder leagues. –Scott White

Dustin Might indicators with Cardinals

Not a foul gamble for the Cardinals when you think about that Might was a prized commodity as lately as a yr in the past. He was getting back from flexor tendon surgical procedure in addition to a Tommy John revision, and clearly, issues did not end up so nicely. The Dodgers determined to chop bait, transport him to the Pink Sox for a few minor leaguers, nevertheless it did not enhance his circumstances in any respect. If nothing else, the Cardinals can present him with alternative given the sorry state of their beginning rotation. He is misplaced about 2 mph from all three variations of his fastball (four-seamer, two-seamer and cutter), however he nonetheless will get depraved horizontal motion on a number of of his pitches. He is an excessive amount of of a undertaking to draft in standard-size leagues, but when he begins getting some buzz this spring, that would change. –Scott White 

It wasn’t even per week in the past that I mentioned Kyle Finnegan can be the favourite for saves in Detroit after signing a two-year, $19 million deal. I take all of it again. Jansen, the lively saves chief and fourth on the all-time checklist with 476, turns into essentially the most confirmed nearer supervisor A.J. Hinch has ever had.

Hinch is notoriously noncommittal along with his ninth-inning selections, which is why the Finnegan endorsement was a guarded one, however the final time he had a better broadly thought of to be probably the greatest within the recreation, Roberto Osuna in 2019, he bought him 38 saves. Jansen presumably would not go to a staff that did not promise him the nearer function. The final time he bought fewer than 25 saves in a season (2020 excluded) was 2011. It is true he isn’t as dominant as he as soon as was, however he continues to get the job achieved at 38 and has likelihood for 30-plus saves on an anticipated contender. It is best to goal him among the many prime 15 relievers in leagues that reward saves. –Scott White

Out with Pete Alonso. In with … Jorge Polanco? Sure, the Mets are going the thrifty route to interchange their All-Star first baseman, signing a longtime second baseman with the intention of transitioning him there. I say it is the thrifty route, however actually it is extra just like the short-term route, seeing as Polanco is slated to make $40 million over two years.

He earned that pay improve with a resurgent season in Seattle, his greatest in 4 years. He had patellar tendon surgical procedure previous to the season, a situation he had been managing for years, and the underlying knowledge backs up the resurgence, specifically by means of improved exit velocities a drastically improved strikeout charge. In idea, he will a greater venue, however his xHR by ballpark is about the identical in New York and Seattle over the previous few years. Principally, Polanco’s worth is tied to his second base eligibility, given that it is the weakest infield place, and this transfer places him within the dialog for prime 10 there. –Scott White 

Ken Rosenthal already answered your query: The Braves nonetheless anticipate to make use of Raisel Iglesias as their nearer in 2026. The deal can pay Suarez $13 million in 2026, with $16 million due in every of 2027 and 2028; with Iglesias solely beneath contract for another yr after re-signing earlier this offseason, the plan right here appears fairly clear. For 2026, Suarez is an overqualified setup man; in 2027, he ought to enter because the odds-on favourite to shut. In fact, he would possibly find yourself closing in 2026 anyway, as Iglesias misplaced the texture for his slider in 2025 and subsequently misplaced his job (earlier than finally profitable it again). Profitable it again from Suarez, who has a 2.87 ERA and 76 saves over the previous two seasons, is perhaps a harder process. Iglesias stays within the top-12 nearer dialogue for 2026 drafts, however he is bought to be seen as a riskier decide now than he was earlier than the Suarez signing. –Chris Towers

Pete Alonso indicators with Orioles

After he sat on the free agent market till February final offseason, Pete Alonso discovered his residence a lot earlier this time round. And, for the primary time in his skilled profession, he will not be with the Mets, as he landed with the Orioles Wednesday on a five-year deal that may make him one of many highest-paid first basemen in MLB historical past. It is a transfer that solutions some questions for the Orioles lineup in 2026 and raises lots extra for the Mets. For extra, take a look at out my full-length article. –Chris Towers

Here is one more free agent who examined the free agent market and determined the grass wasn’t greener, on this case re-upping with the Tigers on a two-year, $19 million deal. Finnegan is probably not of the identical stature as Kyle Schwarber, who additionally selected to remain put Tuesday, however he could possibly be of use in Fantasy if he finally ends up claiming the nearer function for the Tigers. (Replace: He doubtless will not with the next signing of Kenley Jansen.)

He kind of break up the function with Will Vest after coming over from the Nationals in a deadline deal, however he has extra expertise in it and have become a a lot better pitcher with the Tigers, placing collectively a 1.50 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 11.5 Ok/9 in 16 appearances. Mainly, they’d him throw his splitter twice as usually, and clearly, they assume these positive aspects will stick. –Scott White

Kyle Schwarber returning to the Phillies is a giant deal for real-life baseball. Schwarber is among the 15 or so greatest hitters in baseball (and the variety of higher energy hitters is a fair shorter checklist), however he is additionally been an integral a part of the Phillies’ clubhouse throughout their latest run of contending, and so they have been preventing off quite a few different contenders and would-be contenders for Schwarber’s providers. That is a listing that included sudden names just like the Reds and Pirates, in addition to the Orioles, Mets, and others who have been all in on Schwarber to the tune of no less than $100 million. His touchdown spot might have essentially reshaped the look of any considered one of a couple of half-dozen groups.

For Fantasy, although, this deal does not actually matter all that a lot. We’ll at all times take the established order reigning when that includes an elite hitter staying in lineup, and it is most likely the perfect likelihood Schwarber has to recreate his unbelievable 2025 season. But it surely additionally does not – or should not – change how anybody views him for Fantasy. It is the established order, in spite of everything.

I’ll say this: I believe Schwarber’s value in drafts might be no less than somewhat bit unreasonable. After sporting an ADP close to seventieth getting into 2025, he is sitting at 24.5 in early NFBC drafts thus far. He was value that in 2025, however he additionally hit 18 extra homers than he had in 2024 and 9 greater than another season in his profession, so anticipating a repeat might be asking so much. He’ll hit 40 or so with elite run manufacturing numbers, however he hasn’t hit higher than .248 since 2021 (when he was shielded from most of the hardest lefties on the schedule in a manner he now not is) and he’s a Util/DH-only participant for Fantasy. None of that must be thought of a deal breaker, however it may create some powerful team-building problems when it prices a second-round decide. –Chris Towers

Edwin Diaz indicators with Dodgers

Edwin Diaz becoming a member of the Dodgers is one other transfer that feels extra momentous in actual life than in Fantasy. The Dodgers’ bullpen was their greatest weak point in 2025 and now they’ve signed the perfect nearer in the marketplace. In fact they did. However Diaz was going to be a better irrespective of the place he signed, and if something, signing with a staff that gave out an enormous contract to a different shut final offseason and has different pitchers with closing expertise means there is perhaps a bit extra threat in drafting Diaz than there was earlier than. He’ll most likely stay a dominant pressure and safe 35-plus saves for the Dodgers, however he is risky sufficient that it isn’t unimaginable to foresee a world wherein he loses this job. Bear in mind, it occurred to him for a stretch in 2024. 

Tanner Scott is clearly undraftable in most leagues now, whereas Devin Williams appears safe a top-12 nearer and a high-profile bounce-back candidate if the Mets keep out of the nearer market transferring ahead. –Chris Towers

That the Mariners would commerce Ford, who has been one of many prime catcher prospects from the time he was drafted in 2021, was all however sure given the Cal Raleigh of all of it. That they’d get solely a blah reliever in return was sudden. However wait, wasn’t Ferrer the Nationals‘ nearer by the top of final season? Yeah, as a result of they traded everybody else away. He throws arduous, however the numbers actually aren’t closer-caliber, and even if you wish to say his 3.03 FIP is extra indicative of his capacity than his 4.48 ERA, so what? Left-handers who get floor balls at a excessive charge, whereas helpful, usually aren’t thought of prime commerce foreign money. The Mariners truly gave up a second minor-leaguer within the deal as nicely.

Clearly, Ferrer will not be closing video games anymore, so no matter Fantasy worth he might need had is now kaput. What about Ford? Nicely, the Nationals do have Keibert Ruiz locked up by means of 2030, however he was ravaged by concussions in 2025 and has carried out beneath expectations every of the previous two seasons. In contrast to Raleigh, he is a catcher that Ford might moderately overtake. Ford stands out most for his plate self-discipline, having reached base at a .408 clip in 2025 and a .405 clip for his minor league profession, and he has playable pop to his pull aspect. He had been a prolific base-stealer prior to now however put a cease to that in 2025, for some cause. With as deep as catcher is true now, you will not have to make a giant play for him even in two-catcher leagues, however that would change if he garners plenty of buzz this spring. –Scott White

There have been three lesser prospects moved on this deal as nicely, however we’ll stick with the precept gamers. The Password, as Garcia is often recognized, is a borderline top-100 prospect who bought 9 plate appearances for the Pink Sox final yr after a productive displaying between Double- and Triple-A. However whereas energy is meant to be his calling card, he delivered solely an 86.4 mph common exit velocity in his 81 video games at Triple-A. His residence run output depends on him pulling the ball within the air with regularity, and since PNC Park charges because the worst residence run venue for right-handed hitters, that is … type of an issue. Garcia additionally had a excessive chase charge at Triple-A, to not point out a excessive miss charge on pitches within the zone, so there are ample causes for skepticism right here, even when this traded affords him a a lot clearer path to enjoying time.

Oviedo additionally strikes me as extra of a curiosity than a real asset. His 9 begins late in 2025 no less than confirmed him to be wholesome after a prolonged restoration from Tommy John surgical procedure, however the outings have been quick, with just one exceeding 5 innings, and the three.57 ERA was undercut by a 4.92 FIP. Whereas he exhibits some potential as a bat-misser, it isn’t practically sufficient to make up for his vulnerability to walks and residential runs, and my guess is that he’ll serve extra as a swingman than a full-time starter for the Pink Sox. –Scott White

“My guess at the moment is that Pagan doesn’t signal as a better.” That is what I mentioned on the Fantasy Baseball Right now podcast Monday evening. However the a method to make sure he’ll stay a better is to re-sign with the staff that simply used him as a better, and that is precisely what occurred Wednesay Monday Emilio Pagan indicators with Reds re-upped him on a two-year $20 million deal.

It might work out wonderful. It clearly did in 2025, seeing him recording 32 saves with a 2.88 ERA. But it surely marked solely the second time in six years that he had an ERA beneath 4.40, and he remained as homer-prone as ever, which accounts for the three.72 FIP and three.91 xFIP. Pitching in Cincinnati ought to solely exacerbate these residence run issues, and simply because he dodged a bullet the primary time does not imply he’ll once more. He deserves to be drafted among the many prime 20 relievers, simply because there are solely so many in line for saves, however there’s particular bust potential. –Scott White

Mullins’ manufacturing has been in decline for some time now and hit all-time low when he batted .182 with a .565 OPS after becoming a member of the Mets in a midseason commerce. However he is nonetheless a plus defender in heart area (which is greater than may be mentioned for Chandler Simpson), his exit velocities have held pretty regular even with the diminished manufacturing, and he simply delivered a career-high pull-air charge. There are worse gambles a thrifty membership might make than to ink a former 30/30 man to a one-year, $7 million deal. My greatest guess is that Mullins suits into some type of platoon and places up usable energy/velocity numbers for a five-outfielder league. Seeing as he is a profession .189 hitter with a .519 OPS at Tropicana Subject, although, I might be extra more likely to alter these expectations down than up. –Scott White

Early December is seemingly the time to buy failed main league pitchers who rehabilitated their worth in East Asia, as a result of Kay turns into the third such participant to register two days. He is the primary to signal out of Japan somewhat than Korea, and whereas his 2025 strikeout charge wasn’t practically as spectacular in Cody Ponce’s, he was enjoying within the harder league.

The 1.74 ERA is a purple herring (as such an ERA virtually at all times is) as a result of NPB has been going by means of a dead-ball section the previous few years, however Kay is a vastly completely different pitcher than after we final noticed him in 2023. He is now primarily sinker/cutter somewhat than fastball/slider, changing into the kind of excessive ground-ball pitcher (56 p.c charge in 2025) that may overcome a modest strikeout charge, and has a wider arsenal normally. He is unlikely to be far more than a streamer in Fantasy, notably pitching for a non-contender just like the White Sox, however as with each pitcher who takes this profession path, there’s the potential for a shock. –Scott White

Cody Ponce indicators with Blue Jays

After an unremarkable stint with the Pirates earlier within the decade, Ponce spent a couple of years refining his recreation abroad, and it culminated with him incomes MVP honors within the Korean Baseball Group final yr. The award is simple to know given the numbers, however what’s behind these numbers? Apparently, he is added 2 mph to his fastball since we final noticed him in 2021, and he is additionally added a kick change (typically recognized as a splitter) that produces unbelievable tumbling motion with its minimal spin (usually beneath 1,000 rpm). Although he additionally has a sweeper, it is the fastball and changeup that primarily account for his 12.6 Ok/9, the very best for any former MLB pitcher getting back from the KBO.

The Blue Jays are making a reasonable-sized dedication, too. Three years, $30 million, whereas having the potential to make him a discount, is not stab-in-the-dark cash. They’re satisfied Ponce can maintain down a rotation spot for them, and I am satisfied he’ll no less than be viable in Fantasy, along with his core parts suggesting even higher than that. Nonetheless, the 2026 beginning pitcher crop is deep sufficient in upside performs that I could not justify utilizing greater than a late-round decide on him. –Scott White

A former fourth-round decide of the Diamondbacks, Weiss wasn’t adequate to achieve the majors earlier than departing for Korea in 2024, however after placing collectively spectacular numbers there in 2025 (see above), he’ll get an opportunity to compete for a spot within the Astros rotation on a one-year, $2.6 million deal. That is not an amazing monetary dedication, clearly, which suggests {that a} market didn’t develop for the soon-to-be 29-year-old. Between that and the shortage of clear explanations for Weiss’ breakthrough (past imprecise references to improved command and a broader secondary arsenal), I am inclined to assume it was much less about Weiss himself than his competitors. He could have stretches when he is streamable, however barring some eye-opening efficiency this spring, he ought to go largely undrafted in Fantasy. –Scott White

The Bronx chewed up and spit out Williams, heretofore a lockdown ace of a better, however certainly the opposite New York borough will makes for a gentler touchdown. Or … under no circumstances. Actually, this deal affords little in the way in which of closure as a result of the Mets’ mountain of sources permits them to pursue one other big-dollar reliever, as much as and together with Edwin Diaz, who would after all take priority over Williams within the ninth inning. However the Mets are paying Williams nearer cash — three years, $45 million, together with extra incentives — so for now, let’s presume he is their nearer.

Whereas we’d have appreciated him to land in a lower-pressure locale, the one cause to quote New York as the reason for his struggles is as a result of there aren’t any extra apparent ones. His pitches all had the identical form and velocity. He missed bats at his normal elite charge. His 3.11 xERA and a couple of.68 FIP have been each a lot decrease than his 4.79 ERA. He was mainly the identical pitcher. The outcomes have been simply worse. Usually, you’d guess on a rebound in that state of affairs, and I nonetheless assume that is the correct transfer, which is why I rank him simply inside my prime 12 relievers. However I might really feel higher had he signed some place else. –Scott White

Whereas some groups have been reportedly eyeing Helsley as a rotation candidate, the Orioles plan to make use of him as a better with Felix Bautista (shoulder) anticipated out for almost all of 2016. Helsley was an amazing nearer not so way back, registering 49 saves with a 2.04 ERA in 2024, however he was not so nice or perhaps a nearer when final we noticed him, placing collectively a 7.20 ERA in 22 appearances for the Mets following a midseason commerce from the Cardinals.

After attending to the basis of the issue, which was apparently a inform in his supply, he completed his Mets tenure with seven scoreless innings, and the Orioles evidently felt assured sufficient give him a two-year, $28 million deal. It isn’t the kind of contract that an ace reliever who’s solely worry-free would get, nevertheless it’s a sturdy dedication nonetheless. With the Orioles anticipated again in playoff competition, you need to anticipate drafting Helsley within the 12-15 vary at aid pitcher. He is has the potential to be prime 5. –Scott White

$210 million is some huge cash for a pitcher coming off a 4.55 ERA. However as I wrote in my extra in-depth breakdown of the signing, that ERA does not come near telling the entire story with Stop. Sure, he is frustratingly inconsistent. He is additionally a real workhorse, taking the ball each fifth day and offering quantity and strikeouts. With ERA and WHIP threat, positive, however there’s clearly loads of upside there, too. He is going off the board in early drafts round eightieth total, because the twentieth SP off the board or thereabouts, and that looks as if an ideal wonderful worth for a man along with his combination of upside and projectable quantity. There aren’t many pitchers whose absolute best-case state of affairs is as attractive for Fantasy as Stop’s. –Chris Towers

The Pink Sox have been anticipated to make a giant splash in both free company or within the commerce marketplace for a rotation improve, and this commerce is perhaps it. Grey struggled to a 4.28 ERA and 1.23 WHIP final season, however his underlying metrics have been extra indicative of a top-of-rotation arm, together with a 26.7% strikeout charge, 3.39 FIP and three.29 SIERA. The 36-year-old has seen his velocity decline in consecutive seasons, nonetheless, and his high quality of contact metrics took a giant step again in 2025, which is why his xERA was a extra pedestrian 3.90 mark. He is a strong pitcher, each for the Pink Sox and for Fantasy, however I do not assume he is a needle-mover in both occasion at this level in his profession, even when the Pink Sox would possibly be capable to get him of their pitching lab and squeeze some further worth out of him. There’s nonetheless room for the Pink Sox to improve this rotation, in different phrases. –Chris Towers

In change for Grey, the Cardinals bought a few fascinating youthful arms. Fitts is extra of a recognized amount, and he hasn’t given us a lot cause to be excited. He had a 5.00 ERA with even worse peripherals in 2025, so whereas he would possibly slide into the Cardinals rotation, it’s going to largely be for an absence of higher choices.  Clarke is the extra fascinating long-term undertaking, with a fastball that may contact 100 mph and a slider that’s already a weapon. The remainder of the arsenal is a piece in progress. He walked 27 in simply 38 innings throughout two ranges of A-Ball in 2025, so this can be a actual undertaking. If all comes collectively, he would possibly be capable to hack it as a starter, however he appears extra like a Ryan Helsley-in-waiting sort of high-leverage bullpen arm in the long term.

The opposite factor value noting right here is that, with Grey out of the image and Miles Mikolas leaving by way of free company, there are a number of holes within the Cardinals rotation proper now. Prospects Quinn Mathews and Tink Therefore have expertise within the excessive minors and could possibly be choices for the 2026 rotation, although each have troublesome 2025 campaigns that would lead the staff to need to see extra success at Triple-A earlier than they make that decision. For Fantasy, these are each names to know heading into spring coaching in case they’ll steal rotation spots. Liam Doyle, a 2025 first-round decide, appears more likely to be extra of a midseason consideration after he threw simply 3 2/3 post-draft innings within the execs, however he might completely be a quick riser early in 2026, too. –Chris Towers

The Mets and Rangers continued the early offseason development of buying and selling main leaguers for different main leaguers in an change of two getting older ones with a number of years remaining on their offers. Nimmo, who’s 32, has proven solely faint indicators of decline, if even these, persevering with to make worthwhile contributions in residence runs and stolen bases with massive run and RBI manufacturing. He is becoming a member of a worse lineup that performs in a worse venue, however any adjustments to his manufacturing can be slight, presuming good well being.

Semien, who’s 35, has seen his manufacturing nosedive the previous two years, however this commerce could serve to sluggish and even reverse the decline given the park improve. Statcast estimates he’d have a dozen extra residence runs throughout that very same two-year span if he had performed each recreation at Citi Subject. That is my greatest takeaway from this commerce, however Chris Towers has written a whole breakdown of it, which you will discover right here. –Scott White

Iglesias re-ups for one yr at precisely the identical charge ($16 million) because the earlier three. Clearly, the Braves have been on the lookout for continuity, and that makes the evaluation right here somewhat straightforward. He is the nearer once more for an anticipated contender and a close to lock for 30 saves, offered he stays wholesome. He missed that quantity by one in 2025, largely due to some early-season struggles. As soon as he reduce on his slider, although, he was clearly again to kind, compiling a 1.25 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 10.0 Ok/9 in his closing 45 appearances. That’ll play, all proper, and positions Iglesias to be one of many first 12 relievers off the board in 2026. –Scott White

What a fall for Rodriguez, who was regarded a pair years in the past as one of many recreation’s burgeoning aces after a multi-year run as a top-10 total prospect. Now, the Orioles have dealt him away for one yr of some 32-year-old outfielder who simply hit .228. That is not solely truthful to Ward, who additionally linked for 36 residence runs in 2025, however most projections have him regressing to 25-30 in 2026. He is additionally becoming a member of a staff that is loaded with solid-but-less-than-All-Star-worthy nook bats. There already wasn’t room within the lineup for all of Dylan Beavers, Samuel Basallo, Coby Mayo, Tyler O’Neill and Ryan Mountcastle. Now, there’s room for one fewer. It will not be Ward, however does that imply we’ll have to attend even longer for Basallo to contribute in Fantasy? If that’s the case, that is a bummer.

However the actual story right here is Rodriguez, who Angels GM Perry Minasian says is anticipated to be prepared for spring coaching after lacking all of 2025 with lat and elbow points. The lat has been a recurring downside, additionally costing Rodriguez time in 2024 and as a minor leaguer in 2022, and the elbow required debridement surgical procedure in August. The Orioles solely made this deal as a result of they could not belief him to remain wholesome, however having mentioned that, he would not be the primary pitcher to beat a multi-year harm development and nonetheless go on to satisfy his potential. We’ve got no proof that his stuff has diminished with this newest rash of accidents, so I am nonetheless inclined to rank him as a prime 75 beginning pitcher for 2026. This commerce is bound to offer some drafters pause even at that late stage, although.  –Scott White

Grisham’s resolution to just accept the qualifying provide is a curious one provided that he simply had far and away his greatest season, homering 34 occasions as the first heart fielder for the Yankees. Some main retailers have been projecting him to obtain a four- or five-year deal for the same annual worth because the qualifying provide, however his agent most likely has a greater learn in the marketplace.

If nothing else, you might say he is betting on himself with this transfer, hoping to re-enter the market subsequent offseason with out the stigma of being a one-hit surprise, however now comes the arduous half: doing it once more. You would possibly assume the return to Yankee Stadium will assist, provided that he is a left-handed batter, however he truly hit two-thirds of his residence runs on the street. If the Yankees are critical about giving Jasson Dominguez common enjoying time subsequent yr and in addition bringing again Cody Bellinger, Grisham could also be preventing for at-bats once more. The Yankees nonetheless make for a greater touchdown than plenty of golf equipment, however you’ll be able to perceive why drafters would possibly strategy Grisham with some skepticism in 2026. –Scott White

A modest displaying by Torres in 2025 led him to just accept the Tigers’ qualifying provide somewhat than testing the free agent market, and also you would possibly assume a return to Comerica Park is a foul transfer for his Fantasy worth given its status. But it surely truly performed nicely for right-handed hitters in 2025, and Torres batted .285 with a .449 slugging proportion there in comparison with .223 and .327 on the street. On stability, he carried out nicely beneath his .271 xBA and .452 xSLG, having delivered his greatest common exit velocity in three years and a few of his greatest stroll and strikeout numbers ever, so some higher luck would go a good distance towards redeeming him in Fantasy. He is not a surefire top-12 selection, although, even at a place as skinny as second base. –Scott White

One thing tells me that if Woodruff hadn’t gone into the offseason nursing a lat harm, he would not have needed to settle for the Brewers’ qualifying provide, as an alternative pursuing a multi-year deal. However now, he is again in prove-it mode after already overcoming a extra vital shoulder harm in close to miraculous style. Regardless that the shoulder capsule surgical procedure that he underwent in 2023 took 3 mph off his fastball — usually a career-ender for a pitcher, notably one so fastball-reliant — he mainly picked up the place he left off statistically, even delivering the perfect strikeout charge of his profession. A brand new cutter is basically to credit score for saving him, and his fortunes rose and fell with its utilization. He’ll be lots motivated now that he is pitching for a contract once more, however he would have been value deciding on among the many prime 36 beginning pitchers both manner.  –Scott White

The Cubs’ resolution to say no Imanaga’s three-year, $57.5 million choice after the season makes extra sense now that we see the way in which all the pieces performed out. They most likely suspected he’d settle for the $22.025 million qualifying provide, which he did, so now they nonetheless have him however with out the multi-year dedication.

The maneuver would appear to alleviate suspicions that he is cooked, which have been value entertaining provided that quite a few key metrics fell off throughout his sophomore season, specifically his Ok/9 charge (from 9.0 to 7.3) and his swinging-strike charge (from 14.5 p.c to 11.9 p.c). It is kind of deceptive to name it his sophomore season provided that he is 32, and his age contributed to these fears of decline as nicely. Nonetheless, he was efficient when wholesome, remaining a standout for WHIP particularly. Nobody will mistake him for an ace in 2026, however he must be drafted within the center rounds. –Scott White

Usually, a hitter signing with the Mariners would not be essentially the most favorable consequence given T-Cell Park’s status as a pitcher-friendly venue. However Naylor did not have any issues there after coming over in a midseason commerce with the Diamondbacks, batting .360 (32 for 89) with 5 homers and a 1.015 OPS within the Mariners’ residence video games.

Furthermore, the Mariners appeared to unlock the base-stealer in him. His 11 stolen bases in 93 video games with the Diamondbacks have been shocking sufficient, however then he had 19 in simply 54 video games with the Mariners. Given his third percentile dash velocity, another staff might need put a cease to that, however the Mariners do not appear to care. He was succeeding, in spite of everything. It is uncertain he steals 30 once more, which is why he stays solely eighth in my first base rankings, however a return to the Mariners improves Naylor’s probabilities of remaining a base-stealer in some capability. For extra, take a look at Chris Towers’ full-length article. –Scott White